Four automotive industry leaders have been named as finalists for the 2026 Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award.
The finalists are For the Girls founder Monica Monteleone, Logicar Australia chief executive Colette Kirby, Intelematics senior product manager Katherine Anderson and field service technician Caitlyn Hayes.
The winner will be announced at the Women in Automotive Luncheon on October 16, presented in partnership with Cox Automotive Australia.
Monica Monteleone
Monteleone founded For the Girls, an automotive community that began with a meet-up in her local library carpark.
It has since developed into a growing organisation supported by major automotive brands.
Monteleone independently manages its events, fundraising and programmes designed to create opportunities for women across the industry.
Colette Kirby
Kirby has developed Logicar Australia into a nationwide workshop partner while establishing a 40:40:20 gender balance within the business.
She has also placed an emphasis on employee wellbeing and mentoring emerging industry leaders.
Kirby is a board director and treasurer of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association.
Katherine Anderson
Anderson leads the eCall safety programme at Intelematics.
The technology automatically contacts emergency services following a crash and provides responders with information about the incident.
It has been introduced into more than one million vehicles across Australia and New Zealand.
Caitlyn Hayes
Hayes is a dual-qualified diesel fitter and automotive electrician who works as a fly-in, fly-out field service technician on heavy mining equipment in Western Australia’s Pilbara region.
She is also an apprentice mentor and advocate for women entering automotive trades.
Through her Diesel N Sparks social media platform, Hayes promotes trade careers as an option for young women.
The Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award recognises women making an outstanding contribution to the automotive industry and supporting its future development.
